Fortunately for me, my backpack had stomach and chest straps like a hiking pack. That was all that stood between me and my first parachute-free skydiving experience. “Karalti! Come on! This is fucking ridiculous!”
“No! No two-legs, no-wing whores!” Karalti ranted, roaring on every other wingbeat. She rolled to one side, skimming the mountain so close that she almost bounced me off the rocks. “I carry you everywhere on your stupid quests! I wear a stupid saddle, but what does she do to deserve sleeping in the bed with you!?”
“She’s not the size of a semi-trailer!” I snarled back. “And if you weren’t, then of course you could sleep in the bed!”
“I sleep in caves! Cold caves!” She swooped back into the open sky and did an Aileron Roll. My guts lifted with the brief zero-g before I crashed back down into the straps of my pack and nearly slithered out of them.
[Warning! Backpack durability is at 45%!]
“Say Suri is a stupid rider stealing bitch!” Karalti let out a piercing cry of challenge.
I gripped the straps of my pack to anchor myself in the harness and set my jaw. “No.”
“Say it!” The dragon barrel-rolled this time.
“No. And you’re going to put me the fuck down.”
“Say it! Say it say it say it!”
Karalti’s immature force of will slammed into my own, but I wasn’t budging. I pushed right back. “No. We’re headed to a warzone. There are people counting on us to lead them. It’s time you started acting like a queen instead of a spoiled princess.”
“You don’t know how I feel! Or why!”
“Maybe not, but I know I raised you better than this.” I ground my teeth as she pulled a near-vertical dive. It was like a rollercoaster, but without the fun. “And I know your mother would be so fucking disappointed right now.”
The dragon cried out, the same desolate barking sound she’d made at her brothers. She was breathing hard as she leveled her flight path, slowing to a fast glide. As the threat of imminent death receded, I felt waves of empathic input crash against my nerves. Karalti was still hungry. Her joints ached with growing pains. She was humiliated that a full day and night of hunting wild game had only resulted in one measly goat. She was horny but confused by what it meant... she was grief-stricken for her clutchmates, and the mother she’d never known. All of it was feeding a maelstrom of raw emotion that had nothing to do with me or Suri.
“You don’t know what my mother thinks!” she spat.
“I know she’s endured shit that would break either one of us,” I snapped back. “And she did it with grace, and backbone, and composure. Not by tantruming.”
I felt a shudder all the way through Karalti’s body. I also felt the straps keeping me alive start to give way.
“Karalti, you know I love you more than anything on this earth, and that’s why I’m telling you to harden the fuck up.” My legs swung as we passed into view of the parade ground. A fleet of airships were there already, illuminated by spotlights on the ground.
“You can’t tell me what to do!”
“Until you’re old enough, yes, I do. This is a no-negotiation scenario.”
“I’ll... I’ll drop you!”
“Go right the fuck ahead. I’ll respawn, board one of those ships, and then chew your ass out from here all the way to Myszno.”
Karalti bellowed in frustration, but she was getting tired, her will slowly bending under mine. We broke out over the thick walls ringing the parade ground, and she pulled her wings into a shallow dive.
We were still early, but ranks of soldiers were streaming in through the gates, and even the disciplined men stopped to stare as we streaked past. My stomach sank when I saw Ignas waiting at the front. His Majesty was mounted on his fine black hookwing and dressed in full battle regalia, ready to send off the ships.
Naturally, that was when the Item Durability hit zero, and the straps of my pack finally gave way.
Chapter 10
Leap of Faith kicked in as soon as I began to fall, giving me three seconds of time dilation to line up a landing. I hit the ground like a parkour master: knees soft, hands down, then a high-speed roll over the shoulder. I tumbled a few more times than I expected, but carried it through to an awkward superhero crouch not too far from Ignas. His hookwing fluffed its feathers and hissed.
“Well now. That was quite the entrance.” The Volod had switched out his usual rogue’s getup for fine ornamental plate, a long scarlet cloak, and an officer’s saber. His helmet had a backswept crest of feathers. “Is Her Holiness still worked up after the appearance of the other dragons?”
“Uhh... sure.” I dusted myself off, and side-eyed Karalti as she winged around the plaza, bellowing and flaming innocent flagpoles. “Let’s say that.”
“You are not the first to arrive. Rin is already here.” Ignas gestured toward the largest of the airships. I glanced around until I spotted the Mercurions, plural. Rin and Ebisa were embracing out of the lights, sheltered by the mounting tower and gangplank. Ebisa had her mask raised. I saw the King’s Blade tenderly tuck a lock of Rin’s hair behind one of her winglets, saying something to her that made her nod, then giggle. The laughter only lasted for a moment. Rin buried her face against Ebisa’s chest, and the taller Mercurion pulled her into a protective hug.
“They’ve gotten close.” I turned away, not wanting to intrude on them any more than I already had.
“They have. Mercurions love like any other creature - only with the awareness that the time they have together is so much shorter than it is for us humans.” Ignas smiled, a little sadly. “Though now I’m well past my prime, I assume the same applies for me.”
I fell in beside him. “Are you serious? Dude, you’re a catch. You’ll find the right lady at the right time, I’m sure of it.”
“Well, the princess I was once engaged to still believes I buggered my Meewfolk protégé. We’re currently trying to re-establish diplomatic relations with Jeun, but who knows?” A tiny smile jerked the corner of Ignas’ lips. “Anyway, enough of that. It’s fortunate you arrived early: I have some things for you. Items, and advice. can you call Karalti to you?”
Items? Advice? “Sure. Give me a second. Karalti? Can you join us?”
The dragon uttered a short shrieking cry as I called her, but she turned around and flew straight for us. There was a great leathery rasp as Karalti folded her wings, dropped my broken pack to the ground, then fell the last few feet to the ground beside me. She was breathing hard, chest flexing like a bellows.
The griffin-like quazi pranced a couple of steps back, honking with fear. Ignas checked the reins, halting it before it spooked too bad. “Which would you like first?”
“Stuff first,” I said. “Otherwise I’ll be wondering what goodies you’re holding onto while you’re trying to teach me shit.”
“Honest, at least.” The Volod gave me a chipped, toothy smile and then tilted his head to concentrate on something I couldn’t see.
[Ignas Corvinus would like to trade.]
That was interesting. NPCs only seemed to open these trade windows in one of two instances - when they were giving me something immaterial, or when they were displaying an inventory. Curious, I accepted.
Ignas’s halo-like Corona whirled, and then another bunch of notifications appeared:
[You received a Raven Suit!]
[You received a Raven Helm!]
[You received Cossack Harness!]
[You received Fine Cloak!]
[You have received Royal Dragon Saddle!]
[You received Fine Saddlebags]
My eyes widened. Holy fuck. While Ignas watched indulgently, I navigated to my Inventory to check the new items.
Raven Suit
Mastercraft Armor
260 Armor
25% impact reduction (Torso); 15% Light, Fire and Air elemental damage reduction.
Body Slot
100% durability
Armor purpose-made for wearing while flying an aerial m
ount. Light, tough, and flexible, it bears the raven crest of House Corvinus.
Raven Helm
Magical Armor
50 Armor
25% impact reduction (Head), 5% Light, Fire and Air elemental damage reduction, 25% resistance to the Blindness & Deafened status effects. Enhanced flight display.
Head slot
100% durability
A Mercurion-crafted helm enchanted to allow you to see through the solid visor.
Cossack Harness
Masterwork Item
+25 lb to maximum carry weight
Belt Slot
100% durability
A four-point flight harness worn over armor. Used to attach yourself to the quick-release points on your saddle and prevent falls. It can also hold pouches and weapons.
Royal Dragon Saddle
Magical Armor (Dragon)
125 Armor
+10% flight speed, -5% stamina drain
Body slot
100% durability
Built for speed and comfort, this enchanted saddle boosts your mount’s flight speed and stamina by reducing drag.
Fine Saddlebags
Masterwork Item
100% Durability
Increases carrying capacity by 120lb.
Fine Cloak
Looks impressive and keeps you warm. It has pockets!
“Ignas... this is amazing.” I equipped the entire Raven Suit. It fit like a second skin: dark leather and steel armor that was decorative and functional at the same time, worked with silver crow skull buttons. It moved and breathed better than any motorcycle racing suit I’d ever worn.
The black steel helmet was something else. It was long, with a backswept crest of sharp metal feathers tipped in red. The aerodynamic visor was made of obsidian. The volcanic glass that crawled with traceries of red light that pulsed in a mirrored geometric pattern from top to bottom. Like other Mercurion-style gear, there were no eye holes, nose holes, or apparent way to see or breathe.
“That helmet can amplify your voice somewhat,” Ignas said. “Officers of the Royal Dragoons use helmets similar to this one.”
“You can really see through it?” Bewildered, I pulled it on and blinked a couple of times. From the inside, it was like I wasn’t wearing a helmet at all. Even better, it seemed to have some kind of synergy with my HUD. There was a new tab on my sidebar. When I swiped it in, the flight controls I normally only saw when Karalti and I were in the air appeared. Not only that, but there were more tools. A compass. An altimeter. Wind speed and direction. “Holy shitballs. Dude, this is seriously amazing gear. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Ignas inclined his head. “We need to win this campaign, Hector.”
“Our chances just got better.” I reached back, and found a notch just big enough to pull my braids through. “This gear is badass.”
Just then, my HUD began to chime: the morning alarm I had set to wake up in time for the expedition. The gates across the parade ground opened, and soldiers began to pour in, marching in orderly ranks. Ignas straightened in his saddle.
“What about me?” Karalti leaned forward, shaking her wings out as she grawked like an overgrown chick begging for food. Her tantrum was already long forgotten – by her, at least. “You got some things for me?”
“Yup.” I equipped her new saddle. Her old one had served her well, but it was pretty basic: especially compared to this beast. The Royal Saddle was a huge step up in quality. Long, narrow, with a short swallowtail cantle that hugged, it could be bolted to the holes drilled in Karalti’s dorsal spines. It was sculpted to fit her shoulders, and came with extra handles and tie points. The black leather looked shiny, almost wet, but when I vaulted up onto her back, I found the reverse was true. It was rough to the touch, with enough friction to catch and stop my gloves when I pressed down and tried to slide it along.
“Sandsquid leather,” Ignas called out. “Helps to keep your seat. Just try not to touch it with your bare skin, or you will get a rash in places you will sorely regret.”
“It’s comfy!” Karalti stood up tall, shrugging, spreading, and rotating her wings as if to model how it did not interfere with the action of her shoulders. “I love it!”
I clapped her on the knee as she settled back down into her normal stance. “So, how about that advice?”
Ignas nodded, turning to face the troops as they fell into place. “Indeed. I foresee a day where you, Suri, and even Rin may have to command troops, and I feel it is important that the three of you understand how to do so. Do you want to learn?”
“Absolutely.” I reached up to adjust my new helmet.
[You have gained access to the Mass Combat System]
[You earned a new feat: Commander in Training]
Ignas motioned with a hand. “Take a look at your new menu, and I’ll walk you through the options.”
I did so, calling up the HUD. My eyes widened as the new menu unfolded. It was easily the most complex I’d seen in Archemi so far, made more confusing because the various circles, tables, and slots were blank. They were all labeled. The only field with any data was the Renown table, which listed my Renown in Ilia and Vlachia (Taltos Region}.
“Your Renown is the foundation of your ability to build your duchy, recruit heroes, and manage your army,” Ignas said. “Your effectiveness as a leader begins and ends with the quality of your character. Fame or infamy, it doesn’t really matter. You can lead through fear or through inspiration, or a mixture of both. Regardless of what idealists would like to claim, soldiers who fear their commander as their god are as reliable as those who worship them. The strength of the units you can effectively command depends on your Will, your level, and your Renown. Any fool can temporarily bolster a force or direct troops, but to lead, you must be worthy of following.”
“You will note there are three pages to this system: Army, Heroes, and Logistics,” he continued. “The first menu is your Army information. If or when that menu is ever populated, you will be able to see all your units at a glance. If you select a unit, you can view strategic information. Look out over the formation, and you’ll see what I mean.”
The Volod gestured out over the Legion assembling in orderly rows on the Parade Ground: two thousand soldiers and specialists, give or take. I was able to identify twenty discrete units – unit was a complete company, containing the fighting troops and their support. Two thirds of the force were infantry: [Veteran Militia Pikemen], [Vlachian Royal Riflemen], and [Vlachian Royal Archers]. The remainder was made up of units flagged as ‘Elite Units’: [Knights of the Red Star], [Royal Elementalists], [Ravensblood Dragoons] and others. When I focused on one unit of Dragoons, I got the detailed information Ignas had been talking about:
2nd Ravensblood Dragoon Company (Thunderbolts)
Descended from the Dakhari mercenaries who helped the House of Corvinus conquer Eastern Vlachia, Ravensblood Dragoons are Quazi-mounted knights who fight with special hooked polearms - khara - and repeater pistols. They are brutally effective against armored and unarmored flying creatures, able to pull their khara through wings and gun down armored opponents. Their majestic presence on the battlefield is inspiring to infantry, fortifying them against Fear.
Unit Rank: 1
Faction: Myszno Defense Force
Health: 200
Morale: 100%
Speed: 90 (Fast)
Melee Attack: 40
Melee Defense: 32
Abilities: Anti-Infantry, Armored, Armor Piercing, Aerial Charge, Anti-Beast (Flying).
Buffs: Causes Fear in enemy units (-2% morale), boosts morale of allied ground units (+2% morale), +20% damage to Infantry and Beast units on successful charge
Vulnerabilities: Vulnerable to Anti-Air tactics.
“As you can see, the information for military units is simplified, compared to the information one would expect of individual people,” Ignas said. “That is necessary for planning armies and for tactical purposes. If you were in command of these troops, you
would be able to see some more specific information. The commander can monitor injuries and deaths, keep an eye on ammunition, and order units to take certain positions in real time.”
“What’s Rank?” I asked.
“Rank is a measure of experience,” Ignas replied. “Rank 1 indicates a unit has not yet endured a battle. Successful battles increases rank, which confers bonuses to morale, health, attack and defense, so it is in your interest to safeguard the lives of your soldiers. Now, speaking of that – let us head over to the Heroes menu.”
I did so, and to my surprise, there were already a couple of entries there. Ignas was at the top of the list, and Ebisa just underneath it. There were a few other familiar faces, too. Kira and Owen, the healers from Lyrensgrove. Sergeant Blackwin, from the Eyrie. Rutha, though she was grayed out. Both Ebisa and Ignas had icons which, when I hovered over them, told me that they were ‘Unrecruitable (Ally)’.
“The Heroes menu tracks your relationships with prominent figures who inspire, train, and command units or armies.” Ignas motioned to himself with a wry smile. “Individuals are important in warfare, even if the brunt of the conflict rests on the rank and file. Heroes have unique combinations of abilities and talents, such as Ebisa’s talents as an assassin and strategist, or my gifts for diplomatic relations and espionage. Heroes fortify troops, improving morale and helping them fight on when they otherwise might give up. They can also lead companies or units into battle, conveying unique buffs on their allies or debuffs on their enemies.”
“Holy shit.” I scratched my head, but found only metal. Helmet. Right. “Hang on: let me look at one of these.”
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